Cybersecurity for the Common Good: Strengthening Nonprofits Engagement in a Permanent UN Mechanism on ICT Security
The modern digital landscape faces an unprecedented array of challenges, with increasing threats that demand coordinated efforts by the multistakeholder community. This community comprises diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, civil society, academia, and nonprofit organisations, with nonprofit organizations holding a unique and essential role by offering tools, services, and frameworks that enhance the security of digital environments, often at no cost to end users. Their work supports individuals, businesses, and states alike, strengthening the resilience of digital systems on a global scale.
Despite these significant contributions, nonprofits often operate in isolation, resulting in
fragmented efforts and diminished collective impact. Many of these organizations face critical challenges, including operational challenges, funding constraints, limited visibility of and recognition of policymaking processes. At the same time, major multilateral cybersecurity mechanisms—such as the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on the Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies 2021–2025 (UN OEWG)— which are said to shape global cyber governance, provide only limited opportunities for meaningful engagement by the multistakeholder community. This combination of internal challenges and structural limitations creates barriers to active participation, preventing nonprofits from fully effectively and meaningfully contributing to key cybersecurity discussions and decisions. As a result, resources are not optimized, urgent needs may go unaddressed and critical cybersecurity
gaps remain.
Event Objectives
The event aims to serve as a key milestone in advancing discussions on how nonprofits and other stakeholders can be more effectively engaged in global cybersecurity governance.
Through this event, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the vital role nonprofits play in advancing global cybersecurity, highlighting the tools, services, and platforms they offer often at no cost to end users.
Additionally, by critically reflecting on the potential scope, structure, and objectives of a future permanent, inclusive, and action-oriented UN mechanism for regular institutional dialogue on ICT security, the discussions will generate practical recommendations for improving the
integration of nonprofits and other stakeholders ensuring that their contributions are fully
recognized and leveraged within the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
Agenda
13:00 – 13:30 | Light Lunch
13:30 – 13:35 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Fee-Marie von der Brelie, Project Officer, European Union Institute for Security
Studies
13:35 – 13:45 | Presentation: Common Good Cyber Study on Nonprofit Contributions to
Cybersecurity
Kayle Giroud, Director, Common Good Initiatives Global Cyber Alliance
13:45 – 13:55 | Expert Reflections on Nonprofit Contributions to Cybersecurity
Tod Eberle, Alliance Director, Shadowserver Foundation
13:55 – 14:25 | Discussion: Modalities for Meaningful Multistakeholder Engagement in
Global Cybersecurity Frameworks
Catalina Vera Toro, Diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile
Christina Rupp, Senior Policy Researcher, Interface
14:25 – 14:30 | Q&A and Closing Remarks
